Why Yokozuna Was Released By WWE, Explained
Emma Terry 
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Yokozuna is a WWE legend, and he is up there with the more successful and entertaining big guys within the company’s history. However, much like many over the years in WWE, even the biggest and best names on the roster aren’t immune to being released by Vince McMahon. In the case of Yokozuna, his release was more of a unique situation, different to just being surplus to requirements or it being a case of there being a bad relationship or bad blood between he and management. In many ways, Yokozuna’s release from WWE was a sad scenario, but one which was perhaps for the best.
Yokozuna Was A Top Heel In WWE, Becoming WWE Champion
Throughout the 1990s, Yokozuna rose the ranks very quickly with in WWE. In 1992, he was signed to the company, continuing his family’s rich roots in wrestling history, as he is part of the legendary Anoa’i family – with notable names such as the Wild Samoans, Roman Reigns, The Rock, and several more. Yokozuna’s gimmick would be one of a Sumo wrestler, representing Japan alongside his manager Mr. Fuji, although his Samoan nationality was recognised.
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Yokozuna surged to the main event almost immediately, winning the 1993 Royal Rumble Match, going on to WrestleMania to defeat Bret Hart to win the WWE Championship. Unfortunately, his momentum was stunted due to Hulk Hogan immediately challenging him and winning the belt, but thankfully it wouldn’t be long until Yokozuna was champion once again, battling the likes of Lex Luger and The Undertaker, before eventually being dethroned by Bret Hart at WrestleMania 10.
Yokozuna’s Impressive Size Ultimately Became An Issue In WWE
During his dominant time on top, a huge deal was made of his massive weight advantage over his opponents, which was one of the keys that made him a great monster heel, with him having surprising agility and manoeuvrability despite being well over 500 pounds. His size made him stand out, and it led him to great success. It is something that he worked to constantly increase to make him so much more intimidating and dominant as a performer, even taking time off to purposefully increase his size.
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Following his return, Yokozuna’s size had risen to over 600 pounds, and whilst this was impressive, he was clearly much slower and less able to move, damaging his overall ability as a professional wrestler. In 1996, Yokozuna was involved in an angle where he would get his leg broken within a storyline in order to write him off TV. This was due to him needing to lose weight, both for performative reasons and for health reasons. During this angle, a forklift was needed to remove Yokozuna, rather than a stretcher, which couldn’t hold his weight. Yokozuna would return later in 1996, though it was only for a few matches and storyline,s such as against Shawn Michaels, with him needing to take time away again following a match at Survivor Series. He went away to lose weight by undertaking a diet and through exercising.
Yokozuna Was Released From WWE Due To His Weight
Despite Yokozuna’s efforts to lose weight, with him shedding an insane 100 pounds over the next year, he was unable to get cleared by WWE. With those in charge, such as Vince McMahon, unhappy at Yokozuna’s physical condition, the decision was made in 1998 for the former WWE Champion to receive his release from the company, with it being due to weight issues. It was a decision WWE came to due to not wanting to be liable for any potential problems or tragedies that could take place with Yokozuna’s weight being what it was, which was understandable.
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On his podcast, Jim Ross revealed that Yokozuna was 200 pounds over the desired weight that WWE wanted, with the goal being 400 pounds, as any heart conditions carried by Yokozuna would have been easier to look after. As Ross explained, "The 400-pound number was the number – we thought that if he got to that level, he could better address heart issues. He was 200 plus over that. He’s got to pass a physical, and he couldn’t; it’s as simple as that."
Unfortunately, Yokozuna’s weight gain was something of his own doing, as WWE had sent both he and Vader to a weight clinic to get into better shape, but despite completing much of the program, they continued to gain weight, and this was due to the pair sneaking away to eat away from their diet, which caused them to not just maintain their size, but for it to increase too. It is certainly unfortunate, as Yokozuna was such a strong presence throughout the 90s, with him being a good WWE Champion, but unfortunately his time in WWE would end in unceremonious fashion.
